In the first situation, which took place during a patrolling action, the GNR military detected a rubber boat carrying migrants on board at a location about 3 nautical miles from the coast. The detected vessel, about 6 metres long, was adrift, unable to navigate because it was out of fuel. On board were 48 migrants, including 14 children, 10 women and 24 men. The rescue was made at 5am, starting with the children, then the women and, finally, the men.

During transport, water and food were distributed as migrants showed signs of dehydration. After the rescue, the migrants were safely transported to the port of Pythagorio and handed over to the Greek authorities, and the rubber boat was seized. Among the crew were two pregnant women, one of whom was weaker and had to be referred to Samos hospital.

Just three hours later, on the island of Chios, in the course of a coastal surveillance action, the GNR military was alerted by a NATO vessel that is also operating in the area.

Immediately the GNR vessel, which was conducting maritime patrols in the area of ??operations, moved to the indicated location, rescuing 24 people, including two children, 25 days and 3 years old respectively; seven women, one nine months pregnant; and fifteen men, one of them paraplegic. In this case too, the military began the rescue starting with the children, then the women and, lastly, the men, naturally giving priority to those who were most vulnerable.

After the rescue, migrants were safely transported to the port of Chios, where the children, the pregnant woman and the paraplegic individual were immediately assisted by health professionals. The rubber boat, also carried by the GNR military to the port of Chios, was seized.

In the present year alone, and so far, the GNR has carried out over 985 patrols, which corresponds to about 6,000 hours of engagement, detecting over 240 vessels and assisting 2,372 migrants.

In order to prevent, detect and prosecute illicit acts related to illegal immigration, trafficking in human beings and other cross-border crimes, GNR contributes, along with the Maritime Police, to Portugal's commitment to safeguarding human lives in the Aegean Sea.